Vastu Guidelines For Water Tanks | An Architect Explains

The Underground Water tank also known as the Sump. The municipal water pipe is connected to the Sump. Hence this tank has to be close to the road as the water lines run along the road. Usually it is located below the Car Porch/Garage.

The Overhead Water Tank. The water from the sump or Well/Borewell has to be pumped into the Overhead tank in order for it to be able to flow down into the house.

An underground (sump) tank placed below the ground

Here, I have explained the Vastu Guidelines for Water Tanks. Since Vastu is a science, there is logic and reasoning behind every guideline. As an Architect, I have attempted toexplain these guidelines rationally and scientifically, so that you can decide what you want to follow and what you don’t.

WHAT IS THE BEST POSITION FOR A SUMP OR UNDERGROUND WATER TAN, ACCORDING TO VASTU?

The Sump should be located in the North-East corner : The Logic -Since Vastu recommends that the North-East corner of a site be left open, to allow the useful morning sunrays to enter the House, it makes sense to have both the Water source as well as the Sump close to each other in this corner (since they are anyway under the ground and will not obstruct the light). However, if the sump is used for storing the municipal water, it makes sense to have it in the front, as you will need a shorter connection to the municipal water lines.

The Sump should not touch the compound walls or the building walls: The Logic -The sump should be a separate structure and should be kept a little away from the compound and building walls, to prevent any kind of dampness from seeping up the walls.

Overhead water tanks placed on the terrace.

WHAT IS THE BEST POSITION FOR AN OVERHEAD WATER TANK ACCORDING TO VASTU?

The Overhead water tank should be in the West or South-West of the building: The Reasoning – The South-West corner should be the heaviest, to create a balance of positive energies in the house/building.

Avoid the Overhead tank in the North-East corner of the House:The Reasoning – Though the North-East corner represents Water, avoid a tank here because the North-East has to be the lightest part of the house for a balance of positive energies.

Avoid the Overhead water tank in the South-East corner. Also, avoid the Overhead water tank in the North-West corner (if possible). However if it can be located only in the North-West, then it should be small in size, of less height, and situated at a distance of at least two feet from the North-West corner. The Scientific Reason – The basic rule in Vastu is that the building should be higher in the South and West sides and should be much lower in the North and East sides. By keeping the North and East sides much lower, constant sunlight from the North and morning sunlight from the East can reach all parts of the house, whereas by raising the building on the South and West sides, the hot evening sun will be prevented from heating up the rest of the house.

Avoid the Overhead tank in the centre of the building (Bramhasthan) – as it is a load on Bramha, the supreme one. The Scientific Reason – Structurally it is not safe to have a water tank in the middle of the house roof, unless it is a column-beam structure.

The overhead tank should not directly rest on the roof slab

WHAT ARE THE VASTU GUIDELINES FOR THE DESIGN OF AN OVERHEAD WATER TANK?

The Overhead tank should not directly rest on the roof slab: The Scientific Reason – In case there is a leak in the tank, the dampness can seep into the building causing structural damage and fungus growth which is not good for the health of the family.

The Overhead tank should be at least 2′ (60cm) above the topmost roof slab: The Reason -The higher the water tank is above the building, the greater will be the pressure of water, thus enabling the water to flow in full force in all the taps.

The Overhead water tank can be lined with light coloured tiles: The Logic – This will ensure cleanliness of the tank, as it is easy to maintain and there is less likelihood of growth of fungus. Moreover, the white tiles allow one to see all the dirt while cleaning.

Avoid plastic water tanks as far as possible: The Scientific Reason – We are still not sure about the health hazards of storing water in plastic containers. But today because of the convenience of plastic tanks and the inevitable leakage of concrete tanks, we are seeing more and more plastic water tanks.

Plastic water tanks are available in different sizes and capacities

In case you use plastic water tanks, use black or dark blue coloured ones: The Scientific Reason – Dark colours prevent the sun’s rays from entering the tank unlike light-coloured or transparent tanks. The sunlight that enters will encourage algal growth. (Thanks to Manoj for the correction).

Two separate Overhead water tanks are preferred – One , for storing water for drinking, cooking etc and the other, for storing water for bathrooms, gardens etc: The Logic – Nowadays, due to the shortage of piped water, it is advisable to use this water only for cooking and drinking purposes, as it is generally chlorinated, purified water. The water from an additional water source, like Well or Borewell within the site can be used for Bathrooms and Toilets as you may not be sure of the purity. Naturally the water from theses two sources should not mix and so it is better to have two separate tanks.

The Solar geyser should be above the level of the overhead water tank: to ensure proper flow of water, and all the equipment attached to the same should be installed in the South-East of the roof. The Scientific Reason – Since the South East is considered the corner representing Fire, ‘Vastu pundits’ generally recommend that all electrical and heat related appliances be placed in the South-East. That is the only scientific explanation!

The Overhead tanks are located on top of the roof and are accessed by the Staircase. Read the Vastu Guidelines for a Staircase here:

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91 thoughts on “Vastu Guidelines For Water Tanks | An Architect Explains”

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sir, My house is east facing, I have a well in EAST direction and it is covered ,we are using this covered area for entering our house from EAST Side, sir it is correct or not? ,we are planning a water sump beside the well as we dn’t have sufficient space In otherside of the house.pls guide meHi Sankar,
It is not ideal to have to cross a covered well to enter your house. But if there is no other option, then make sure the well is securely and properly covered. A sump next to it is okay.
Admin

Hi,
As I am going to start constructing my house which is having a North-West facing plot. The directions N,E,S,W are at the corners of my house. I’m preferring to have underground water tank in the front of my house as it’ll be near to the road pipe line.
There are 2 options:
1: north -west.
2: north-east
Please suggest me the right position for it.
My second query is: Is it fine to have 1 Bathroom-cum-Toilet in the North-East corner of the House (in the back of the house)
Thanks & Regards,
Amit ManglaHi Amit,
Better to have the sump in the NE corner. It is preferable not to have a toilet in the NE corner.
Admin

Dear sir,
We have a underground tank in north east corner of our north facing house. now i want to increase the want tank, if i increase the tank the will tank will come in front my entrance door east. is it recommend the water tank can be in front of the main entrance door of east?
Thank youHi Srikanth,
It is generally not a good idea to have a tank under the entrance, mainly because there is the risk of it collapsing under the weight of the people standing on it. But nowadays these tanks are made of RCC and are strong so the risk is minimized and hence it is okay.
Admin

which direction is good for keeping ups and water tank inside the house and sink water flowHi Sudhir,
Better keep the ups in a well-ventilated place. Ideally the UPS and water tanks should be outside the house. But if you really have to place the water tank inside, then place it in the NE corner. The sink also can be in the N or E if it is possible. But always give practical considerations more importance and place them such that there is a good circulation space around them.
Admin

Sir, I have a south facing house. The water sump is situated at NE corner. But it was extended to the back door of the house. So the door is facing the water sump . Is it good? Otherwise plz suggest me.Hi Murthy,
I am assuming that the sump is underground. In such a case there is no problem.
Admin

My house has west entrance. I want to place the overhead tank in that direction. Will it affect the positive energy entering through the main door due to weight of overhead tank??Hi Sanoj,
An overhead water tank is ideally to be placed in the West or South Or South West. So There is nothing wrong with your proposition.
Admin

Dear Sir
our underground water tank is in east corner.Can we get construct our kitchen above it. Will it be ok to cover it in our kitchen. pl suggest me.Hi Veena,
It’s not a good idea to build any room above an underground tank as there is the possibility of dampness, leakage when it gets full, sound as the water gushes in, and difficulty in accessing the tank for maintaining and repair. So think about it. Unless you have no other choice, avoid it.
Admin

Hello,
We have two sumps, one in northeast slightly smaller due to place constraint and other one in southeast, as per vastu we aren’t suppose to use southeast sump, we stopped using southeast sump and use it rarely during summer to store enough water, is this fine…pls suggest…
Regards, Gayathri HegdeHi Gayathri Hegde,
Yes you can do what you are practising now as it solves the practical issues and psychologically, you feel you are following everything as per vastu.
Admin

Dear Sir,
I have just purchased a DDA flat in Delhi. The states of the house are as follows-
Home Entrance- North West
Water Tank Position- North West
Washrooms Facing- North West
Please advice is the stats of the home are good for family and if not kindly suggest the remedy.
Regards
Nishant ThaparHi Nishant,
Forget about the positions- it is impossible to get every room, water tank entrance exactly as per the ideal vastu positions. Instead focus on whether you feel positive in this house or not. If not, then make sure that the windows are regularly opened to allow enough ventilation.
Admin

Dear Sir,
We have east facing plot and in that we constructed North facing house. we have installed Rain water harvesting system. Here water flows from roof flows to south and collected in filter which is in south and then to underground sump (South east) and later excess water is put into to recharge well in North east . Is this direction is ok..? or is there any remedy for same?Hi Nethra,
You have done a commendable job by installing a rain-water harvesting system. The location of the sump and recharge well are fine.
Admin

Dear Sir,
I have constructed Bore well East side of my house. It’s inside the house and under the staircase. Is this per vastu or else I will close the Bore well.Hi Subhranil,
Its not ideal but there is no need to close the borewell.
Admin

Hello sir,
Am constructing a house. i am maintaining almost as per vaastu. But i cannot construct a sump at north east corner.i have no possibility there.so i constructed at south east corner and same portion in to north east side of a house. can u plz give any remedies for this..to avoid vastu dosha.Hi Ravinder,
There is nothing wrong with having the sump in your present position. When you have practical difficulties, instead of sticking to vastu rules, rigidly, go for the most suitable solution.
Admin

Dear Sir,
We are planning for the Water Sump of inner dimension 12′ Lenght x 4′ Width and 6′ Height. (Outer 13 x 5 x 6). As per vasthu is it ok? or we want to make any changes? please let me know.Hi Suryaprakash,
What is most important is whether the capacity is sufficient for your requirements (how many members, any tenants). Better to consult your architect/engineer for this.
admin

Sir
I have a Rcc agricultural water tank for plants supply, located on the west side of my garden. Can I construct a farmhouse abutting to it on the east side.I will not use the tank water for house purpose. I will construct overhead tank on the southwest of terrace. Can I construct a room over the rcc water tank for usage of watchman .Hi KJ Reddy,
You can construct the farmhouse on the East side and you can have a water tank on the terrace on the SW side. But to keep the watchmans room above it may not be ideal as it will be too high. Instead you could probably have the watchman’s room below the tank since the tank has to be higher than the terrace.
Admin

I wish to buy a house which is facing north. The underground water tank or sump is in the north east corner of the house but in the hall. It is concrete one. Is this house vastu compliant? Please advise.Hi Saleem,
An underground tank inside the house is not ideal for many reasons: the sound of the water gushing in, the chance of leak can cause dampness and cleaning it can be a problem. But if you have no other choice then you can consider it, but you will have to make a few compromises.
Admin

Dear Sir,
I am going to build a house, and plot has east and south front. we have made a well in the south west corner due to small plot and are going to make water tank at north east corner under the entrance corridor.please suggest me is it good or not?Hi Arjun,
Given the site orientation, this is the best you can do. So it is okay.
Admin

Please suggest. I have constructed water sump in North East under the parking. Where should I put the manhole.shall go with the convenience or there any vastu related to the opening of the water sump. Thank you.Hi Muralidhar Reddy,
Place it where it is most convenient and practical to open.
Admin

I have recently purchased east face house. The sump is made exactly outside of the main door i.e the first step out from main door is sump. Recently my sump got leaking and I decided to rebuild the sump two steps away from main entrance door. The sump is 3 feet away from north and 5 feet away from east. Is it correct please suggest me any thing wrong.Hi Satish,
It is better to keep the sump away from the main door. When you rebuild it, construct it in concrete or embed a sintex water tank below the ground.
Admin

Dear sir,
I hv newly constructed my plot which is south facing door & i hv done all the things as per vastu but my underground water sump is coming at southern or little bit close to SE side. & Also my main door entrance is on SE Corner. From last 2-3 months i am facing some issues in my shipping biz. Means, my biz volume become so slow and also having very low profitability as compare to previously.Pl adv if there is any problem related to my water sump or what kind of precautions should i hv to take? For ur inf, i can not move my water sump to other direction as its made of concrete.
Pl help me out.
Thanks/ Milind JadhavHi Milind,
In a south facing plot, the Se corner is the best position for a sump.
Admin

We are planning to construct house. In the ground floor for commercial purpose and residential purpose on the first floor. Can we build the sump inside the house in the north east corner(within plinth area)?Hi Lavanya,
Better to have it outside the house.
Admin

Dear Sir, I purchased a new flat but at south-west corner there is a under ground water tank,i am losing my business.My flat is at first floor & water tank is at ground away from wall just 5 to 6 feet.Hi Balasaheb Wagh,
The position of the underground water tank for the apartment complex will not affect your individual flat so much. If that was true, it should affect the owners of all the other flats.
Admin

Dear Sir, My house has west entrance. and I am plan to construction of basement and ground floor for commercial used and first floor is for house please suggest me which direction is correct for underground water tank and overhead water tank and safety tank ???Hi Sanjay,
It all depends on the position of the entrance. But for your information, the underground tank can be in the NE corner, the overhead tank can be in the SW corner, But in both case avoid the diagonal from the NE to the SW.
Admin

Hello sir,
We hv a South facing plot, and having a cut in North east corner and a overhead water tank also in North east corner,other than that,all the things are according to vastushastra,how to overcome this defect of vastu,plz.suggest some remedies.
We cant move the overhead water tank to other sideHi Ujala,
Like you say it is impractical to shift the water tank elsewhere. Instead keep windows in the North and east walls open, during the day to benefit from the morning sun.
Admin
Admin

sir,
i am going to construct the house in 28 x 30 (28 is in road side and 30 is in towards east side) i am planning to construct north facing house with staircase in south west corner with out touching compound where shall i make sump i don’t have place to keep sump in north side or north side corner side can you give me suggestion where shall i keep sumpHi Kumara,
Construct the sump anywhere in the East.
Admin

Sir,
I have overhead water tank in southeaston the roof and bathroom on same corner at ground, first and second floor.It can not be changed.please suggest vastu remedies for these defects.Hi Anju,
Keep the toilet doors closed always.
Admin

We are constructing the house facing towards north. our site is south west corner site. we don’t have sufficient space to make under ground water storage (sump). So we are planning infront of the main door that is north direction. Is it ideal or not.Hi Jayashree,
A sump below the main door is not ideal. Find some other space.
Admin

Can I built a outdoor staircase to first floor above the water well in North West.Hi Joseph,
You can have the staircase above the water well, provided the cover is strong, preferably made of RCC and fixed firmly.
Admin

My house is east facing and the sump that is underground water tank is exactly opposite to maindoor but sump located 10feet away from maindoor.is it OK as per Vastu pls clarifyHi Suresh,
It is okay as it is away from the main door.
Admin

Hello s
I m planning to buy a house in 19th storey building. The house which i m looking is also on 19th floor and just above it on terrace there is a water tank. Is there any problem to buy a house which has water storage on top as per vaastu shastra.
Waiting for u reply.
ThanksHi Vinay,
Nothing wrong with that. The only problem I see is that since it is directly below the terrace, it can get very hot.
Admin

Hello Sir
We have overhead tank on southeast corner over the kitchen what can i do to overcome vastu problems without making any changes.
Thank YouHi Kailash,
Having a water tank above the kitchen in the SE is not going to harm you.
Admin

Hi sir,
while constructing the sump it should be above or below the plinth area?. Will it cause any serious vaasthu defects. Through which side the water connection should me done?Hi Sreekumar,
Ideally the sump top should be below plinth. The water connection should be made from the side closest to the municipal water lines.
Admin

Dear sir my house is east facing entrance.can i flow my roofwater through middle portion(north) and bring it through pipe to 1st floor and then flow it in north west corner. hi Sourav,
Find the shortest practical route for the flow of water. The direction does not matter.
Admin

My house is in south-west corner. Main gate is in West side. The water sump is in west (slightly in south side) side. There was no other option for this sump.
Please give tips how to fix this vastu dosh, without sifting it to other direction.Hi Sanjay,
There is no need to assume that you have to do something to correct the ‘vastu dosh’. In a south or west facing site, the obvious position for the sump will be in the West , South or South West.
Admin

Sir
We have overhead tank on northeast corner over the kitchen what can i do to overcome vastu problems without making any changes.
Thank YouHi,
If you dont want to make any changes, forget about Vastu problems. There are some remedial measures recommended in other websites like painting the tank red, etc. You can maybe do this for peace of mind.
Admin

Dear Sir, I am planning to put Borewell for a already constructed house because not enough Kaveri water supplied. So I have space only in west direction and my main Door is in North west direction and sump also in North west direction.. Can I drill borewell in west direction or not ?..
Also, what Vastu remedies we have to do for underground sump in North west direction pls answer both queries…. Many thanksHi Sivamani,
You cannot dig a borewell anywhere you want – there has to be a water source point. So if there are more than one points available in a site, opt for the one nearer the NE. But nowadayd it is becoming difficult to get permission to dig a borewell in Bangalore.
Admin

Sir we live in south facing house and our main door is in south east side have a muncipal overhead water tank infront of our house but one road distance is there.pls tell is it any vastu defact? if yes pls tell us any remedy.Hi Inderjeet,
A water tank is not such a bad defect.
Admin

In d same compound v hav two houses, My(owner) house is having north east facing, the sump is in northeast only and similarly outhouse has NE facing and NE sump. But d problem is outhouse NE sump will situate at south east of our home.what can be doneHi,
You cant have the best of everything in one site with two houses. So accept that and forget about it. Its not a big problem
Admin

We have underground water storage tank at south east corner of our house. kindly suggest some remedy to remove the defect without destruction.i will be great full to you.In previous post my comment post is of wrong direction kindly ignore the sameHi,
A sump in South East is not such a big problem, according to me.
Admin

Dear sir
We have built a swimming pool in fourth floor towards south west corner. Almost west part of the roof. We have left 5 feet distance from north. The swimming pool is made sit on a beam above one feet high on the last floor slab. Is this OK with vastu . Kindly help meHi,
It is okay since the swimming pool behaves like a water tank.
Admin

Sir, our house is north facing. Toilet is in the north east corner and also overhead water tank is placed in the north east corner of the roof. Nothing is as per the vastu. Kindly advise the remedy….Hi,
Keep the toilet door closed while not in use. As for the water tank, there are some remedial measures recommended in other websites like painting the tank red, etc. You can do this for peace of mind.
Admin